Sunrise on the Reaping

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussions of violence, death, and alcohol abuse.

“They hang the man and flog the woman

Who steals the goose from off the common,

Yet let the greater villain loose

That steals the common from the goose.”

These lines come from The Goose and the Common, an English protest poem/song written by an unknown author in the late 18th century. The poem criticizes the privatization of common land during the English Enclosure Movement. In Sunrise on the Reaping, the song is recontextualized to protest the inequitable and totalitarian state of Panem, as most district residents struggle to get by while the Capitol enjoys unchecked opulence. Lenore’s defiance in singing such songs introduces The Importance of Resistance.

“‘Because the reaping’s going to happen no matter what I believe. Sure as the sun will rise tomorrow.’

Lenore Dove frowns. ‘Well, there’s no proof that will happen. You can’t count on things happening tomorrow just because they happened in the past. It’s faulty logic.’”

This quote encapsulates a central theme of the novel. Most of Panem, including Haymitch is conditioned to accept the continued existence of the Hunger Games. The Capitol actively discourages independent and critical thought to keep the districts subservient. Lenore offers a differing viewpoint, stating that the historical existence of the status quo doesn’t have to guarantee its continuation. Lenore’s defiance and hope here function as a foil to Haymitch’s gloomy apathy, introducing The Complexities of Submission and Control.

“For the first time, I understand that when they show the reaping live it isn’t really live. There must be a five-minute hold on the broadcast in case something like this happens.”

Haymitch’s revelation that the reaping is not aired live marks a key moment in the development of the way he understands Capitol propaganda. By manipulating what is presented as a live broadcast, the Capitol has the power to write their own truths and erase history.